Interpol removes Turkey from database due to “an issue of trust”

Interpol has removed Turkey from its database after the Turkish government uploaded a list of at least 60,000 individuals sought over suspected links to the Gülen group, which Turkey accuses of masterminding a coup attempt on July 15, 2016.

According to pro-gov’t Yeni Şafak daily, the decision to suspend Turkey’s access to Interpol database came after the July 2016 coup attempt.

However, an Interpol spokesperson told BBC Turkish late on Wednesday: “Interpol supports all 190 member states as part of cooperation among police organizations. There is no ban on Turkey’s access to the Interpol database, including searches for people who are the subject of international search warrants.”

The Turkish government has cancelled the passports of around 50,000 people to prevent them leaving the country, while uploading another 60,000 names on Interpol data in the aftermath of the coup attempt.

Without an Interpol notice, Turkish passport holders are able to use their current passports. The Interpol database, which includes passport information of the sought individuals, enables countries to detain suspects after their passport numbers are determined on the system.